Two-a-days: Trenton Tigers football preview

Saturday

Aug 25, 2007 at 12:01 AM

By RAY FITZGERALDSpecial to The Sun

The Tigers return all but one starter from last year’s 7-3 team, including quarterback Durell Henry and running back Brandon Mathis. With 15 seniors on the roster, Trenton knows that this year is now or never.

Mathis, a senior, will key the Tigers offense, having played varsity since the last three games of his seventh grade year. In that six year span, he’s missed only three games due to injury, which happened last year.

Coach Ed Janes will look to give the ball more to CJ Bowers, whose speed and movement make him a good compliment to Mathis and Henry. The goal is to spread the carries out and keep the team from suffering the injuries that have plagued them over the past three seasons.

Jimmy Bogarde and Lee Collins both suffered knee injuries in the spring and will miss the season. Defensive end Ryan Fry, who played most of last season on a completely torn ACL, has graduated. Mathis played Fry’s end position in the spring, but has since moved to linebacker.

“As long as (Mathis) is scoring, I don’t mind blocking for him,” joked senior fullback Billy Owens, when asked if he prefers carrying the ball or blocking. “But if he’s not going to score, I might as well score. Really, I just want to win districts this year. That’s the goal.”

Interview with Trenton High School football player Billy Owens about the upcoming season.; Billy Owens; trenton; Interview with Trenton High School football player Brandon Mathis about the upcoming season.; Mathis; trenton; high school media days http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1155269941http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=294434710
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5 questions with coach Ed Janes

1. How did summer workouts go?

We had a good showing in the weight room this summer. We had our skill guys join in with Buchholz, Santa Fe and Fort White and did a seven-on-seven. I sent a group to lineman camp, and we went over to Clay High last weekend and did a seven-on-seven camp there.

Along with all of the work in the weight room, I'd say we had a real successful summer.

2. What are your expectations for the season?

We should have a good football team this season. We have 15 or so seniors that have been working in our program for four years now. Some had to start early in their career and have some experience. They've been around us and our system for a while now, so we should have a good year.

3. What is your biggest concern entering the season?

We've had an unusual amount of injuries since last year. We had Jimmy Bogarde and Lee Collins hurt, and both will probably miss the season (knee).

4. Talk about some of your team leaders and what they bring.

We have about 15 seniors. The one guy that shows up all the time is Brandon Mathis. He's shown up for just about every workout we've had over the last four years. He's a quiet guy, he doesn't really talk a lot, but he'll show up and work out. The other players look to him for leadership.

Durell Henry is another quiet player, but he's stepped up. He shows the way through his actions. Bill Owens is a more vocal guy. All the guys like him, and he has a good sense of humor. He's a hard working guy, and a hard-nosed guy. He's probably our toughest football player.

5. Talk about a player or two we may not have heard of that you expect big things from this year.

I guarantee you, if you've been coming to Trenton games, it's the same crew. We've got some young guys on the JV team that next year you'll hear about.

CJ Bowers is going to step up and take a more of a major role in our offense. He's coming on. He's a really fast guy. He's gained some strength and speed, and I see him doing a little more this year.

6. What game do you say that your players look forward to the most?

First game of the year, Bell High School. All of the guys look forward to that one. I don't have to give much of a speech for that one, the guys are ready to go.